WGN America Nabs Off-Network Rights To CBS Drama ‘Elementary’

Tribune’s WGN America continues to aggressively build its programming slate with a second high-profile off-network acquisition. On the heels of its deal with Warner Bros for Person Of Interest, WGN has picked up exclusive off-network cable rights to another CBS procedural drama, sophomore Elementary, from CBS TV Distribution. The deal seals Elementary‘s renewal for next season and probably beyond. No premiere date has been announced, but Elementary is eyed as a companion to POI, which debuts on WGNA in fall 2015, with Elementary expected to join the cable network’s lineup around that time. No one is commenting but I hear the license fee for Elementary is in line with or a tad higher than that $1.1 million-$1.5 million per episode that POIcommanded. (Both deals include a carved out broadcast window.) “Elementary is a first-rate drama and terrific addition to the lineup of compelling content that is redefining WGN America,” said WGNA president Matt Cherniss. “It’s a perfect complement to our recent off-network acquisition, Person of Interest.“Elementary, a modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, was the most watched new broadcast series last season and is currently averaging 12 million viewers. It does well in playback and streaming, ranked #4 among all primetime programs in L+7 viewer lift, averaging a +4.15 million viewer increase over its Live+Same Day average. Creator Rob Doherty, Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman and Craig Sweeny executive produce for CBS TV Studios.